The Production diary (Assessment 1 Part A)

1.The importance of the scene “Your baby has finger nails” from Juno (2007)

         The scene “Your baby has finger nails” from ‘Juno’ (2007) is pivotal to the film’s storyline. Before Juno’s confrontation with Su-Chin, she was conclusively determined to get an abortion. She was sure that she was not capable of being a mother because she is a teenager. Her mind slightly started to change after she listened to Su-Chin’s strong appeal.

A scene from 'Juno' (2007)

     At first she did not understand the fact babies have finger nails. Judging from her facial expression and the tone in her voice, it seems that she never thought about that before (see the image on the right side). However, she began to consider it when she was filling out the form at the hospital. She looked at everyone else’s finger nails there. Although they are only finger nails, a seemingly insignificant human body part, they are still evidence of human life. Looking around, young Juno becomes aware that her baby is also alive.

     Since she realized this, she has changed her mind completely, and decided to have a baby. She abandons the idea of abortion and starts to pursue adoption instead. This scene is a crucial turning point for Juno as a teenage mother, and changes the direction of the film.

2.Mise en scene analysis from ‘The Great Gatsby’

    The low camera angle employed in this scene from ‘The Great Gatsby’ (2013) illustrates the complex character relationships of the film (see the image below). This technique makes the audience feel scared at Gatsby, who is on the right. This angle is effective that he seems to be frightening. Viewers would sense an unusual atmosphere from him.

     In addition to the camera angle, the color of the ceiling plays an important role. If its color were bright, viewers would feel differently. Since it is dark, it attaches the scaring atmosphere from him.

     Also, the audience would notice Gatsby is not satisfied with this situation. The difference of the amount of lighting on Gatsby and Nick, who is at the middle, is a significant point to look at. The amount of the light which lights Gatsby is smaller.

A scene (44:54) from 'The Great Gatsby' (2013)

     From this difference, viewers can guess that Nick does not have a bad feeling against Tom, who is on the left. This is evidenced by the amount of the lighting towards Nick.

     However, viewers can notice that Gatsby’s face is in a dark. This implies that he does not like Tom. Interestingly, it seems that Tom does not know Gatsby’s feeling because he turns his back on Gatsby. Only audiences are privy to Gatsby’s feeling toward Tom. The audience would be interested in the relationship between Gatsby and Tom from this moment.

3.The plot structure of ‘500 days with Summer’

     The complex plot structure used in ‘500 days with Summer’ (2009) is effective in maintaining viewer interest. The story is not shown chronologically. Therefore, the audience is encouraged to concentrate on what is going to happen between the two main characters, Tom and Summer. Judging from fragments which are shown unchronologically, audiences need to consider the end, rather than see and  enjoy the end.

     It begins with the last part- 488 days have already passed since Tom met Summer. It is difficult to predict whether the relationship will come to a happy ending or not. Viewers, however, might guess their relationship will end as the title implies a limited time with Summer.

     Nevertheless, the film at first indicates that the relationship might end happily. At the beginning, audiences see the scene which Summer’s hand with a ring is on Tom’s hand (see the image below). It would be natural that the audience expects this film to end happily. Ultimately, it ends differently from the expectation that they will live happily ever after. It is unveiled that they are going to break up. At the last part, viewers again see the same shot as the beginning and finally discover how it ends.

A scene from '500 days with Summer' (2009)

     Telling the story unchronologically, audiences are urged not only to enjoy the film, but also to consider the story. Although this structure is complicating, the film succeeds in holding audience attention.